The Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 recently concluded with a few outstanding knockout stage matches along with some wonderful individual performances. Despite all the doubts over the conditions, the pitches in the UAE have produced some decent scores and highly interesting contests. As the 45-match tournament came to end, it is time to look back on some of the players who put their A-game for their countries when it mattered the most.
Here is one top performer from each team of T20 World Cup 2021:
1. Australia – Adam Zampa
The leg-spinner is steadily proving that he is one of the best in the white-ball game at this moment and his effort during this World Cup-winning campaign was quite incredible. The best part about him was his consistency. Apart from the game against England, Zampa had a terrific economy rate (5.81) through the tournament and he also picked at least one wicket in every game.
He ended with 13 wickets and was the second-highest wicket-taker in this tournament. His influence in this team was more than just being a leading wicket-taker. He made sure that the runs dried down every time he came to bowl and the pressure was built on the opposition. A special mention to David Warner, who was a close contender for this, given he made 289 runs at an average of 48.17 and a strike rate of 146.70, along with some crucial knocks during the knockout stages.
2. New Zealand – Trent Boult
The left-arm pacer never really started out as a gun T20 specialist bowler. However, over the years, by delivering in tough situations in the white-ball game and also honing his skills in the IPL, Boult is quite the finished article. He bowled at an impressive speed, with great accuracy, and picked up wickets throughout the tournament.
He ended the tournament with 13 wickets with an economy rate of 6.25, which could’ve been much better if not for a bad game against England. However, he turned with all his skills in the final, delivering a spell of 2 for 18 in his four overs. Despite that effort not being enough, it shouldn’t be forgotten how crucial he was in the Blackcaps’ journey to the final in this tournament and how instrumental he has been in their rise at the international level.
3. Pakistan – Babar Azam
This tournament was going to be the great litmus test for the fairly new Pakistan skipper, who has been put in charge as the nation looks to regain its glory. From leading his men expertly on the field to managing their emotions away from the ground, Babar showed great skill and has raised hopes for a nation for a better tomorrow.
With the bat as well, hewas excellent. He ended as the highest run-getter in this tournament, scoring 303 runs at an average of 60.60 and a strike rate of 126.25. He scored four fifties during this tournament and continued his consistent run in the shortest format of the game. He also claimed the No.1 T20I men’s batter ranking during the tournament.
4. England – Jos Buttler
Ever since he has been promoted to open the innings in T20 cricket, his game has been elevated by another notch. Had his team not crashed out in the semi-final, one can only wonder if he could have ended with the player of the tournament. Buttler made 269 runs at an average of 89.67 and a strike rate of 151.12.
The highlight of the tournament was his classic century against Sri Lanka where on a difficult wicket, he ended with a high score, while others struggled to find timing. On top of that, there is his brilliant work behind the wicket, which can’t be underestimated by any degree. The trophy may not have come his way but on the world stage, he shone more than anyone else in his team.
5. India – KL Rahul
India had a pretty disappointing campaign and it didn’t start well for the charismatic opener. After a strong IPL season, he would have hoped for a good show at the World Cup as well, but somehow he just couldn’t bring everything together in the first two games. However, he bounced back quickly showcasing his true class.
In the last three games of the tournament, he made scores of 69, 50, and 54*. He ended the tournament with 194 runs at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 152.76. Rahul has also been appointed the vice-captain of the T20I team and India will hope that he can take his form into the next T20 World Cup, which starts in about 11 months.
6. West Indies – Shimron Hetmyer
The West Indies team came into this tournament with a lot of hopes and a squad that was capable of being destructive. However, they faced an untimely situation of everyone running out of form. There wasn’t too much that the West Indian team would want to recall about this campaign, except for maybe the emergence of Hetmyer and how he showed that the next few years could see him dominate world cricket.
He did flop in most of the matches, but his knock against Sri Lanka had some really positive signs for what the future holds. He scored 81 runs from 54 balls. He also got a start against Australia after that but couldn’t convert. The West Indies team management would hope that he keeps himself fit and ready for the challenge which will come on its way in the next year.
7. Sri Lanka – Wanindu Hasaranga
The Sri Lankan all-rounder was making some noise coming into this tournament, but this was his big chance to show his class and he did everything he could have done. To begin with, he was excellent and most importantly, consistent with the ball, delivering in every game for his side. His stats with the ball are quite mind-boggling.
He picked up 16 wickets in eight games with an average of 9.75 and an economy of 5.20. Hasaranga picked up 10 of those wickets in the last four games, against Australia, West Indies, South Africa, and England. It should also be noted he played a match-winning hand of 71 runs from 47 balls against Ireland and made a 21-ball 34 against England. There is absolutely no doubt that he is a star in the making, if he is not one already.
8. Bangladesh – Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan has been the most important player in the history of Bangladesh cricket. His contributions have been too many as far as the nation’s cricket is concerned. In the 2021 edition, he was once again at the forefront of everything as Bangladesh pushed on for a better campaign. However, that wasn’t to be the case.
Despite everything, Shakib’s numbers can’t be ignored. In the six matches that he played, he picked up 11 wickets with an average of 11.18 and an economy of 5.59. Apart from this, he also got 131 runs with the bat. Had it not been for his injury, Shakib would have played a few more matches for his side. Bangladesh would hope that there is one more edition left in Shakib.
9. South Africa – Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje has been on the rise for the past couple of years. He has been an excellent find for the Proteas and with Kagiso Rabada, he forms a formidable pace-bowling duo, capable of taking on any opposition in any condition. At this World Cup, it was essential for a team to have some quality pacers and Nortje delivered at the right time.
In the five matches which he played, the right-arm quick took nine wickets at an average of 11.55 and an economy of 5.37, which is quite brilliant even for a 50-over tournament in today’s time. The speedster is one of the more promising players in the rainbow nation now and the country will hope he can keep his good form going for the next ICC event.
10. Scotland – Mark Watt
Had this tournament been held in some other continent, Scotland might have had a better overall campaign, especially with the bat. Despite their brilliant start in the qualifiers, Scotland faced some heavy thrashings in the main round. However, there was one player who stood out for his consistency.
Mark Watt is quite a simple spinner, who has an orthodox action and a pretty normal bowling style where the ball doesn’t turn so much. However, despite that, he was able to keep things under check and managed to take a wicket in all the matches, except for one. He ended his campaign with seven scalps in eight games, with an average of 26.28 and an economy of 6.13.
11. Namibia – David Wiese
Having played the 2016 edition for South Africa, Wiese turned up for Namibia in possibly the country’s most important tournament. He played a huge role in taking them till the main round and was instrumental in making this event a landmark time in Namibia’s cricket history. What was amazing was he did win them games with the bat and the ball.
His knock of 66 and figures of 1 for 32 against Ireland was the primary reason why Namibia managed to make it to the main round. In total, he scored 227 runs with an average of 45.40 and a strike rate of 127.52. He also picked up six wickets with an economy of 7.42, bowling at crucial stages of the game.
12. Afghanistan – Rashid Khan
Ahead of this tournament, Rashid had expressed that Afghanistan believed that they had the best shot to win the World Cup in the shortest format. As the tournament was going to be played in the UAE, they might have felt that they even had some advantage. However, all of that turned out to be an illusion as they scummed to better quality teams.
However, Rashid Khan was at his best form with the ball, delivering the goods for his team in all the matches. In the five matches he played, he picked up eight wickets at an average of 14 and an economy of 6.10. In a year’s time, he might be playing a central role for Afghanistan going into the World Cup in Australia given how successful he has been in BBL.
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